December 2015 AAMHC Journal of the African American MethodistJournal Heritage Center NOW MORE THAN EVER In this time of racial up- Now More than Ever By Gil Caldwell heaval, the African-American Events at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015 in Methodist Heritage Center which Dylan Roof, a young white man, killed and wounded members of this historic black church remind (AAMHC) needs financial us that we continue to be engaged in a full-blown battle against evil forces. These crises are a strong support more than ever, not reminder of why one mission of the African American Methodist Heritage Center (AAMHC) is to keep a just from the denomination, record and tell the story of the journey of blacks, particularly black Methodists, in the development of but also from local churches. the Methodist Church and the United States of America. The AAMHC supports our enlightenment, exposes our George Santayana wrote in The Life of Reason, published in 1905, that “Those who cannot remember treasured memories, and the past are condemned to repeat it.” The reluctance of some whites and blacks to remember publicly counters the voids that sur- the history of attitudes and actions of anti-black racism in our churches and society encourages smolder- face about the roles played ing embers of hate to flare up and wreak their damage. Even today, in the year 2015, we still experience by blacks and whites in the the destructive behaviors of previous centuries. We find old mementoes from yesterday, like the Con- denomination’s growth. It is federate battle flag, stoking angry hearts and minds. time to make black history, I recall that sixty years ago, I visited the Divinity School of Duke University seeking admission. My religion and spirituality ma- hope was that the Methodist Church that once denied black attendance or full participation would recall jor cornerstones of the 21st its history of racial segregation. It would ask itself what biblical authority, interpretative theology, or century United Methodist Christian understanding justifies the rejection of blacks by whites. It did not happen. When do we begin Church. This is a vital part of to create the “teaching moments” that re-shape and reform our anti-black attitudes and actions? “transforming” the world. All United Methodists, no matter their face or ethnicity, are called to cease engaging in the silence, Gil Caldwell, the author, is a denial and revisionism about the negative past of Methodist history. Let us not engage in the pretense retired elder and member of than the merger in United Methodism of the black Central Jurisdiction in 1968 produced a post ra- the Rocky Mountain/Denver cial/racist society. It didn’t. While progress has been made , there are still churches where the presence Conference. A self-described of blacks is non-existent although they are visible in the surrounding community. There are still churches “footman in the U.S. civil in which black/white relationships are addressed through “special collections.” We need to visit the rec- rights movement” he serves ord of the past told in such works as the film “Richard Allen, Apostle of Freedom.” This cinematic por- on the Board of the African- American Methodist Herit- trayal depicts how Richard Allen was so affected by the racism and insensibility of the church that he left age Center and can be and organized his people into the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We need to also consider the reached at often painful contributions of those blacks who remained. in the mainstream Methodist Episcopal [email protected]. Church to seek direct partnership with its wary white members… CONTINUED NEXT COLUMN AAMHC ASKS: What You Said During the month of August 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Afri- Image courtesy of GCAH. of courtesy Image can American Methodist Heritage Center sent out an online survey to our constituency to gather information about how effective our minis- try and communications have been with you over the last several years. We asked a series of 8 questions. We believe you were candid, and at the same time supportive, in your responses. We are grateful to all of you who took the time to respond. Overall, we found that we are quite effective in some areas, while we need to make improvement in Distinguished Service others. You highlighted our need This past summer the 8th Historical Convocation of for greater communicating the General Commission on Archives and History and publicity. There were some very (GCAH) , the Methodist Historical Society (MHS), The positive responses and then there North Central Jurisdiction Commission on Archives were negative ones. All of the re- and History (NCJAH) and the host Northern Illinois sponses will serve to direct us and to Conference Commission on Archives and History sharpen our strategies more as we (NICAH) met at Garrett Evangelical Theological Sem- seek to serve you better. inary in Evanston, Illinois. The global delegation to Some of you were not even aware of our existence, and more than 75% said this meeting came from such far reaching places as that you do not currently provide financial support, and 38% said you would con- Russia, Hungary, and Africa. sider doing so. Interestingly, 90% of you want more programs and resources At the dinner banquet of GCAH, the president of promoting historical and current contributions of African Americans in Method- the African American Methodist Heritage Center ism. (AAMHC), Barbara Ricks Thompson received the Too many, 30%, did not remember receiving email or a journal from AAMHC. Distinguished Service Award. In addition to the above Since the bulk of our mailing list is provided by National BMCR (Black Methodists delegation, close friends and AAMHC board members for Church Renewal) and through contacts made at workshops conducted by were present. Bishop Jeremiah Park of the Susque- AAMHC, some postal addresses and email addresses are outdated. We could cer- hanna Episcopal Area and Rev. Fred Day, General tainly use your help to collect emails or addresses of friends and contacts in your Secretary of GCAH, presented the award. Ms. local area. Thompson was introduced by Bettie Lusk, GCAH Your responses also shown that 63% of you prefer to receive communication member and wife of AAMHC board member, Donald from AAMHC and 12% would like to receive a printed newsletter. We would like Lusk. to be able to be in touch with you, so please send names of friends, churches or organizations to receive updates on a regular basis. Please email your information The Distinguished Service Award is given annually to [email protected] or send by postal mail to AAMHC, Attn: Carol Travis, 36 Madi- in recognition of the significant contribution to the son Ave P.O. Box 127, Madison, NJ 07940. Questions may be directed to Ms. ministry of memory of the United Methodist Church to Travis on 973-408-3862. a person, group, institution or church (es). Past recip- ients of the award have included Rosemary Skinner Donald Lusk, the author, is a member of the AAMHC Board and can be reached at Keller, Russell E. Rickey, J. Gordon Melton, and His- [email protected]. toric St. George’s UMC Church and Mother Bethel . AME Church, Philadelphia for the efforts to heal the wound of the 1787-1792 years of separations. The first award was given in 1991. SAVE THE DATE Ms. Thompson chose in her acceptance of the SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2016 award to acquaint those present of the path AAMHC has traveled since the General Conference of 2000 OPEN HOUSE & DEDICATION IN MEMORY OF gave it a start as a result of legislation presented by BISHOP LEONTINE T. C. KELLY Black Methodist for Church Renewal (BMCR). She 950 South Beach Blvd. Waveland, MS told of the recognized need to preserve and highlight Bishop Leontine T.C. Kelly, a daughter and wife of ministers, was the first Afri- the contributions of African Americans to Methodism, can American woman bishop in a major Christian denomination when she was and plans for a oral history project.. The Board of elected as bishop in the United Methodist Church in 1984. She was a friend and Trustees of the African American Methodist Heritage mentor to many, and was a social and political activist who supported many Center salute Ms. Thompson and thanks her for her issues related to the rights of all people. Bishop Kelly, the mother of Angella years of outstanding leadership and service to the Current Felder, a member of the Board of Trustees of the African American organization. Methodist Heritage Center (AAMHC), died on June 28, 2012 at age 92. For ad- Bettie Lusk, the author, can be reached at ditional information contact Mollie Stewart, President and CEO, Gulfside Asso- [email protected]. ciation at 228-341-0324 (c) or at [email protected]. UMC in Greater New Jersey, was recently the recipient of the One Matters Award, a new award given to a church in each conference that is turning zeros into positive numbers with a renewed focus on disciple- ship. The award, originated from Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church, carries an award of $1000 and a plaque. Groveville- UMC has had a 20% increase in attend- ance for the past two years, and paid 100% of its shared minis- tries for the first time in six years in 2014. Hall has been at the church for two years… Dr. Elaine Parker Adams, a member of the AAMHC Communications Committee just received the J.C. Montgomery Child Safety Award of 2015 from the Texas Office for Prevention of Developmental Disabilities and the BOARD MEMBERS & Executive Committee.